The longer stick was equal to a longer rotation, which meant to be the number 9, as opposed to number 1 which required a shorter rotation - a suggestion from an older concept by Parmelee.Īnother interesting explanation - from a modern design standpoint - goes beyond the mechanical reasons. After all, the knowledge of arithmetical devices was not as widespread.Ī reasonable answer could be tied to some mechanical decisions, possibly related to the method of complements and the fact that keys were pressing levers connected to rotating drums (Durant, 2011). Why did Felt choose to display the numbers in a 9 to 1 sequence? It wasn’t a widespread notion at the time. Here is where the story gets interesting. The introduction of the three vertical rows of digits didn’t happen until 1894 when the NCR Model 79 became available. These corresponded to the price, in cents, of items sold in stores and saloons. Until 1893, the early register models had buttons commonly arranged in one or two horizontal rows, which displayed preset values - 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, etc. The predecessor to today’s cash register was not meant for calculation but to record a sale and let a manager know with a ring. After seeing a tool that counted the revolutions of a steamboat’s propeller, he invented the machine that featured a clock-wise device and a set of numeric keys (Dalakov, 2018). In 1879, James Ritty owned a saloon in Dayton, Ohio where he found some of his employees were stealing his profits. This is especially so since early cash registers (until 1893) had no separate 0 key, no drawer and no workers standing behind the cash register.įor the argument to be valid, it’s important to look at the birth of cash registers. While there is some truth to the explanation, it’s still riddled with factual errors and the hand’s reach argument was weak. So, it would make sense to keep that number at the very bottom to ensure it was within hand’s reach (Durant, 2011). Think about it, the currencies used in that time meant the number 0 was often the most pressed key. Theories include the suggestion that the calculator was based on the cash register design. However, these “ideas” still don’t provide an explanation as to why modern calculators use the reverse 9–0 arrangement. This interface that allows users to focus on the input without the need to operate the bare mechanisms such as the Pascaline or array of Arithmometers that use drums, clocks and unfriendly levers (Dalakov, 2018). Still, White’s machine, even if it was a proof of concept, could certainly be regarded as the earliest example of modern “direct-manipulation” interface. Neither one stood up to the test of time, nor no proof was given that they weren’t just fantasy (Durant, 2011). In 1822, author James White’s New Century of Inventions showed a key-based device with nine numeric keys. In 1834, Luigi Torchi reportedly showed a prototype of a wooden calculator, with a design similar to the typewriter. In all fairness, though, we have to mention two predecessors that could claim they invented the key-based interface. This machine used the first numerical keyboard with a single row of keys that increased from 1 to 9 (Dalakov, 2018). However, it wasn’t until 1844 that a Frenchman by the name of Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué came up with the first working prototype of a key-driven calculator machine. Some inventors had already begun experimenting with machines similar to pianos in the late 18th century. The keyboard came about sometime between the first and second industrial revolutions (from 1820 to 1920). Looking at the key arrangement, I was curious to learn when the system of using keys was introduced in the history of machines. Typewriters, Cash Registers, and Calculators
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